Tom Izzo plans on pursuing a redshirt for Jeremy Fears Jr.

Tom Izzo spoke to the media on Monday about some of his freshmen and he admitted he’ll be pursuing a redshirt for Jeremy Fears.

Jeremy Fears is someone that has been on everyone’s mind a lot since the incident from December. While he was home for the holidays, Fears was shot in his leg, thankfully not suffering any life threatening injuries. However, he has been on the sideline all season after the incident occurred.

Earlier on Monday, Tom Izzo provided an update on Fears and the expectations for him going forward.

Izzo says Jeremy Fears Jr. has made "unbelievable progress" in recovery. "He is a tremendously quick healer. .. Does that mean he's gonna play this year? No." But feels Fears will have spring/summer to improve between freshman/sophomore seasons. Going to petition for a redshirt.

— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) February 19, 2024

Tom Izzo comments on Fears’ recovery

Izzo has held back on giving out a lot of information about Fears’ recovery in the past, and rightfully so, but that wasn’t the case this time. He shared that Jeremy has made “unbelievable progress” and that “he is a tremendously quick healer.”

Izzo then continued to discuss if he has a chance at returning to the court this year, saying “Does that mean he’s gonna play this year? No.”

I think this is what most of us expected, and probably is the right choice. As much as I would have loved to have Fears back and think he would help the team out a lot, I think easing him back in is the right choice. The last thing you want to do is bring him back too soon and impact his overall health and future playing ability even more.

Tom Izzo also loves that Fears will have the spring and summer to continue to heal. This way he’ll hopefully be 100 percent by the time next season begins.

Potential for a redshirt season

Tom Izzo also shared that Jeremy will apply for a medical redshirt this season as well. Basketball is a little different from football in that you can’t even play in one game to get a redshirt. That’s what fellow freshman Gehrig Normand is currently doing this season.

But the NCAA can give out a medical redshirt under certain circumstances. There’s no telling what the NCAA will decide to do, but I believe it would be more than fair for Fears to be granted this redshirt. That would mean this season wouldn’t count against his eligibility and he could stay in East Lansing for four more years if he wants to.

Regardless of what happens, I’m just happy to hear his recovery is progressing well. Incidents like what Fears went through make it feel like sports don’t matter, all that ever mattered is his health. Thankfully that’s going well, so we can look to the future and seeing him back on the court next year.